Our 75 Years of History

For 75 years, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has grown with our region. From the barracks at Dale Mabry Field to a sprawling campus in the center of Tallahassee and nearly 40 physician practices across the Big Bend, we’re building a regional healthcare system for the future.

Head back in time with us as we celebrate all the ways TMH has transformed healthcare over the past 75 years.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is established.

At 7:30 am on April 23, 1948, six people – Jack W. Simmons, Judge Walter T. Moore, Jr., Benson Skelton, J.L Cresap, H.J. Yeager and George W. Bryan – gathered in a small room in the wooden barracks at Dale Mabry Field, on the outskirts of Tallahassee, to establish Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, which today we know as Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH). It was there, at the former Air Force base used during World War II, that TMH began caring for patients.

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital opens its doors on the corner of Magnolia Drive and Miccosukee Road.

Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center gains accreditation. Today, it is the longest continuously accredited cancer program in Florida.

TMH begins partnering with local high schools, colleges and universities to create educational and research facilities.

In the 1950s, the polio epidemic is in full swing. In 1954, TMH receives national recognition for the swift and effective treatment of a polio-like virus that swept the region.

TMH undergoes its first renovation, introducing a new wing to add emergency, obstetric and expanded surgical services, in addition to a new medical unit.

M.T. Mustian is appointed administrator of TMH, where he serves the community and hospital for the following 25 years.

FAMU Hospital merges with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, now Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Alexander D. (A.D.) Brickler, MD and R.L. Anderson, MD become the first black physicians at TMH.

TMH establishes the first ambulance service for Tallahassee. Before this service, funeral homes handled emergency calls.

To bring more physicians to the community, TMH establishes the Family Medicine Residency Program in 1973. Today, the program has been serving the Big Bend community for over 50 years.

TMH opens its first cardiac catheterization lab, allowing for heart catheterization and cardiac angiography.

TMH's Home Health Care Program becomes the first to be licensed in the state of Florida.

TMH makes its first of several name changes, becoming Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center, Inc.

To unify nonprofit hospitals nationwide, TMH, along with 29 other organizations, establishes the Voluntary Hospitals of America (VHA).

TMH unveils its helipad, allowing faster transportation services for patients during emergencies.

The TMH Foundation hosts the first ever Golden Gala to benefit patients in the hospital. The guest performer was Barbara Mandrell.

TMH opens the region’s first Newborn Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. Today, TMH is home to the region’s most advanced (Level III) NICU.

TMH purchases 84 acres of Goodwood property that some called “Mustian’s Folly.” This land has gone on to house TMH’s Cancer Center, Tallahassee Community College’s Ghazvini Center, the Seven Hills outpatient surgical center and other medical facilities. It will also be the future home of FSU Health.

TMH launches the first Electrophysiology Program in the area, founded by Marilyn Cox, MD. TMH’s program is one of only a handful in the country to be founded by a female physician.

TMH’s own Dr. A.D. Brickler runs the Olympic Torch through Tallahassee for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center becomes Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

TMH launches a hospitalist program with four doctors based exclusively in the hospital. Today, it includes more than 30 physicians.

Mark O’Bryant joins Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare as President and CEO.

A statewide study recommends a trauma center be established in the Big Bend. TMH steps up to the plate and establishes the Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center, the region’s only Level II Trauma Center.

TMH debuts its new Cancer Center for outpatient cancer care.

TMH opens the Transition Center, an innovative concept focused on helping patients discharged from the hospital receive the follow-up care and resource support to help them get healthier.

In 2012, Tallahassee Memorial creates its physician network TMH Physician Partners, which includes all its employed and contracted physicians.

TMH establishes a nurse residency program for new nurses transitioning into their professional career.

TMH opens the first freestanding emergency center in Tallahassee, the Emergency Center – Northeast.

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital becomes Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare – a name that represents TMH’s entire healthcare system.

TMH teams up with Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville to expand pediatric specialty care in the capital area, starting first with pediatric cardiology.

TMH opens the M.T. Mustian Center, an unprecedented, more than 340,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art surgical and critical care center.

Eight days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declares COVID-19 a pandemic, TMH cares for its first COVID-19 positive patient.

TMH successfully performs its first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery as part of the multidisciplinary Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Program.

TMH announces its partnership with Florida State University and St. Joe company to build a healthcare campus in Panama City Beach. The 80,000 square-foot medical office building is slated to be complete in 2024, with the 100-bed hospital following in 2027.

TMH opens its first medical practice in Panama City Beach, TMH Physician Partners – Primary Care.

TMH and Radiology Associates of Tallahassee partner to form Southeast Radiology Partners, a member managed limited liability company, that allows both to combine outpatient diagnostic imaging assets and resources to provide care.

TMH teams up with Survival Flight to bring faster, critical care to patients within 120 miles of the hospital.

Celebrated our Family Medicine Residency Program’s 50th anniversary.

Designated land on TMH’s campus for FSU to build an academic health center of the future, focused on transformative clinical care, research, biomedical innovation and education.

Introduced new procedures and technology to TMH and our region, including the Monarch Robotic Flexible Endoscopy Platform, True Beam radiotherapy system and diaphragm pacing.

This is all possible thanks to YOU.

Our incredible colleagues, providers, partners and volunteers have helped us transform healthcare in our region over the past 75 years. Thank you for all you’ve done to support TMH and our community – we look forward to the many accomplishments to come!